2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE brake

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-17
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-18
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-18
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18
Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Electric Power Management...........................3-19
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-31
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-32
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-34
Trip Odometer..............................................3-34
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-34
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-36
Charging System Light..................................3-38
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-39
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-39
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light. . . .3-41
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-41
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-42
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-42
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-43
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-46
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-47
Security Light...............................................3-47
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-31.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-33.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-35.
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped).
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-38.
G. Driver Information Center Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-75.
I. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
J. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-18.
K. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-39.
L. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-12.M. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
O. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-118.
P. Climate Control System or Dual Automatic Climate
Control System (If Equipped). SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-21orDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-24.
Q. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-20. Cigarette Lighter
(If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-20.
R. StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-6. Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped).
SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 2-33. Rear Park Assist Disable Button
(If Equipped). SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) on page 2-58. Heated Windshield Washer
Fluid Button (If Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-11. Power Running Boards Disable Button
(If Equipped). SeePower Running Boards on
page 2-22.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-71.
3-5

Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, cruise control is turned off.
If your vehicle has the Stabilitrak
®system and begins
to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise control,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.The cruise control buttons
are located on left side of
the steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and turn
off the system. The indicator light is on when cruise
control is on and turns off when cruise control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press this button
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
SET−(Set/Coast):Press this button to set the speed
or make the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press this button to cancel cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
3-12

Setting Cruise Control
Cruise control will not work if your parking brake is set,
or if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on after the cruise control has been set to
the desired speed.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control On/Off button.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET−button located on the steering
wheel and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This shuts off the
cruise control. But you do not need to reset it.
Once you are driving about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, press the +RES button on your steering wheel.
The vehicle will go back to the previous set speed and
stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To increase the cruise speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the +RES button on the steering
wheel until you reach your new desired speed,
then release it.
To increase vehicle speed in small increments,
press the +RES button. Each time you do this,
you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey. Each
time you do this, the vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
3-13

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed down.
Of course, applying the brake takes you out of cruise
control. Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble
and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the cancel button on the steering wheel.
Press the On/Off button on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps
control is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
9(Off):Turn the control to this position to turn off the
automatic headlamps and daytime running lamps (DRL).
Turn the headlamp control to the off position again to turn
the automatic headlamps or DRL back on.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the off position will only
work when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
3-14

Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
on, this gage shows
the battery’s state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The charging system
regulates voltage based on the state of the battery for
improved fuel economy and battery life. The gage may
transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher
reading, this is normal. Readings between the low and
high warning zones indicate the normal operating range.
The gage may also read low during the fuel economy
mode, this is normal.Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create full power. If there
is a problem with the battery charging system, this light
will come on or the SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM DIC message will display. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-59andCharging System Light
on page 3-38for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set the parking brake. If you
try to drive with the parking brake engaged, a chime
will sound when the vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
3-39

This light may also come on due to low brake uid.
SeeBrakes on page 5-38for more information.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system warning light on
can lead to an accident. If the light is still on
after you have pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push or may go closer to the oor. It
may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-42. United States
Canada
3-40

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, your vehicle still has brakes, but
not antilock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, your vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-39.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for all
brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light should
come on briey when the
engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If it
stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there may
be a problem with your StabiliTrak
®system and your
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on,
the system is off and will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
This light will also ash when the StabiliTrak
®system is
active.
If the StabiliTrak
®system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when
the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
3-41